"Then why don't you obey me? Do you want to be shot?" "Would you dare to shoot me, Captain Brentford?" "I would, and I will, unless you get behind the bushes at once." With slow steps the major moved toward the brush indicated. Nearer and nearer came the horsemen, until the leader was less than a hundred and fifty feet away. Then, without warning, Deck took to his heels, running straight for the cavalry, who were strung along in a column of twos. Almost overcome with rage and chagrin, Captain Brentford raised his pistol. But the major had calculated well, and the spy did not dare to fire for fear of missing his mark and striking one of the cavalrymen. In less than half a minute the opportunity for shooting was gone, for the cavalry halted with Deck in their midst, and the captain put up his weapon and strode forward. As soon as he caught sight of the major, one of the riders in the rear uttered an exclamation of astonishment, but this failed to attract Deck's notice. "Well, what does this mean?" demanded the leader of the cavalry, eying Deck, sternly. "Are you a Union spy?" "No, I am simply a prisoner of war, Major," answered Deck, noting the shoulder straps of the other. "Here is a spy," and he indicated Captain Brentford. "Hullo! Captain Brentford!" exclaimed the Confederate major. "Are you on business in this neighborhood?" "I just came through the lines, Major Collins," answered the spy, coldly, and Deck saw at once that for some reason there was no love lost between the two Confederate officers. "And what of this man here?" "I could not escape without him very well, so I brought him along. I reported to Major Dowlney, and he said I might turn the fellow over to the officers of Breckinridge's command." "It is odd you are conducting him over the road on foot in this fashion." "I would like to put in a word of explanation, Major Collins," interrupted Deck, who had listened closely to what was said. "What is it you wish to say?" "I would like to be placed under a regular guard of two or three men." "For what reason?" Major Lyon looked at Captain Brentford, who grew first red and then white. He felt his position was a delicate one. An exposure of the spy's treatment of him might only cause him more trouble. Fortunately Captain Brentford came to the rescue himself. "I would be only too glad to turn the fellow over to you, Major Collins. He has caused me a great deal of trouble." "And I do not deem that he has treated me as a prisoner should be treated," added Deck. "But I am willing to let the matter rest,--providing I can have another escort to the prisoners' camp." Major Collins looked first at Deck and then at the spy. "Has this man threatened you?" he demanded of the young Union officer. "He was very anxious to get information out of me." "I repeat, did he threaten you, Major?" "He told me that I must tell him certain things or take the consequences, and he had his pistol in his hand while he spoke."